See the Big Picture

       Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure…’ (Isaiah 46:9-10).
       God declared the “Beginning” at the beginning of THE BOOK—the Bible, the Scriptures, God’s Word. The first book of THE BOOK is called Genesis, which just so happens to mean—you guessed it—“the beginning.” Immediately, we see the Godhead at work.
        “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said…” (Gen. 1:1-3a).  
          God created by speaking declarations of His Word. John 1:1-4 says Jesus is the Word of God. We see the move of the Spirit releasing God’s power on the earth.
          Also immediately, we see a numerical pattern put into place that would resonate across the ages as the basis for God’s predetermined, set lengths of time for His “counsel.” In the Greek wording of the New Testament, these are God’s chronos times. It’s the prophetic shadow of a 7-day pattern.            
          Chapter 1 describes the six days allotted for the work of the earth and Chapter 2:1-3 sets apart the 7th day as a special day of Sabbath rest. The foundational apostles and the early Church understood this 7-day pattern as God’s prophetic great Week of the plan of redemption. “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one Day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one Day” (2 Peter 3:8).
         Something very powerful and unique happened just prior to the 7th day Sabbath rest. Do you know what it was? Stay tuned.
          The Chronos Lesson: God doesn’t change and nothing can change God’s counsel (Malachi 3:6a). His timetable is set. Only God the Creator determines the times and the seasons (Daniel 2:21). That is, only God removes and raises up kings. He gives wisdom only to the wise who seek godly wisdom.
          Likewise, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Heb. 13:8). If we are in Christ, then we can be steadfast, being rooted and grounded in Him. We don’t have to be blown about by contrary doctrines or shaken by the shenanigans of the world. We can trust God’s chronos timing and His plan.
          In the weeks ahead we will be looking at the Big Picture of the Chronos in the Bible. We need to be rooted in God’s Word and centered on Christ the Word.
           “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).